davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
Killed by n Picture,

There is famous modern picture at
Moscow of John the Terrible, after he
has murdered his son in fit of rage, and
suddenly discovers the crime he has
committed. The expression in his eye is
that of the madman, with curious
yleam of horror and consciousness s.rik-
nc him, after his son has sunk at his
teet with the blood streaming from his
wounded temple. 1t is intensely realistic,
md report asserts that on one occasion a
ady was SO much affected by the sight
If it that she fell down dead on the spot.
According to this tale, the picture was
subsequently, removed to an inner room
md ladies not admitted in the absence
If medical attendant.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
Dishes in Restauran is,

'One source of expense to rcstau-
ant which customers usually fail to take
into account in estimating our profits, is
the breakage of Dishes" said the man
nger of Buffalo cafe the other evening.
-"Every time hear the crash of breaking
glass I know the profit on one mans
meal is gone. Not one person in ten
ever offers to make good the loss caused
by his careessness, and as an attempt to
collect from the nine different ones would
turn away trade, we must decline the
tenth mans money also, on the principle
of impartiality. Accordingly all the
breakage caused by guests is total loss.
Then, again, to stand well in the estima-
tion OF the public, vixen dishes become
badly nicked they must be withdrawn
IRON table use. Our class of customers
are accustomed to whole dishes at home
and demand as good at restaurant.
Rapid handling, careless washing and
constant use, make the period of useful
ness of light, thin dishes, such as are
most popular, painfully short to the
financi man OF restaurant. Another
source of loss is the disappearance Of
dishes sent out with orders.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
Making Use of Human Bones.

A curious instance of how deeply old
superstitions arc still rooted in remote
parts of the country is case which has
just been brought before the magistrates
of Marquct, in the department of Loiret,
in France. A short time ago the grave
digger of Fontenay-sul Loing sail to
some workingmen with whom he was
talking at Ferricrcs factory: perhaps
you think that dead mems bones are of
no use, but you are mistaken. ] have
sold some to two women from Ferriercs. )"
The police, hearing of this occurrence,
made inquiries, and the following facts
were revealed: Two women from Fer
rieres went to Fontcnay -sur-Loing and
asked the gravedigger for some human
bones. At first he refused, but was soon
persuaded to yield by an ample bribe.
The women, who passed in the district
for sorceresses, returned home, hiding
the bones for q short time, and then
burning them and carefully gathering
up the cindcrs, their purpose being to
prepare love draught for young and
pretty country lass, who had ordered it
to reconouer the heart of lover wh2
had turned her of. .-[Chicago Herald.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
SO. LONDONDERRY. VT. THURSDAY, MAY l2 Iss
Mimicry In Nature,

Beetles often initiate hornets, since
the latter are insects to which birds in
search of animal food prefer to give >
very wide berth.
A species of mantis initiates the white
ant, aud, mixing with the family like
one Of its own members, quietly devour'
a fat torrnite, from time to time.
The bumble-bee flies, which are inof-
fcnsive little creatures, initiating the
wild bee, fit about and buzz angrily in
the sunlight, quite after tho fashion OF
the insect they copy, and gain an unde'
served reputation for iierceness.
Flies often dwell as unbidden guests
in the ntsts add hives OF wild honey.
bees. They are beltcd and bearded in
tho self-samc pattern as their uncon'
scious hosts, but their larvae pay for the
hospitality they steal by devouring the
young grubs Of the hive.
There is in Bornco sand wasp which
is addicted to the habit of devouring
crickets, but there is also a species oi
cricket which exactly reproduces the ap-
pcarance Of its enemy so that it can even
associate with it undiscovered.
Certain beetles have become modified
10 resemble wasps, even to the extent of
losing their solid waists for Others of
ultra fashionable slenderncss, and others,
which mimic bees. have acquired useless
little tufts. of hair on their shanks, to
represent the pollen-gathering apparatus
of the true bees. :...
A curious case of imitation is that of
two species of Malayan orioles, which
are almost exact counterparts of two va
rieties of honey suckers. The latter are
such fierce birds as to be avoided by al
their fcathered neighbors, and thus tho
orioles find their own deceptive plumagc
great protection.
The mimicry OF singing insects il
sometimes performed by innocent littlt
creatures quite destitute of any sucl
means of defense. A common insect,
known In England as the DEVILS coach
horse, throws up its tail in the aggres.
sivc fashion of scorpion, when irri
tated, but it has no hint of sting. Ii
its war-lile attitude it is exceedingly
alarming, not only to boys and girls, bu
TO chickens and birds.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
British Columbian Mythology.

Dr.. Franz Boas, who visited the In
dian tribes of British Columbia in the
autumn of 1886, has presented in pre-
liminary report some Of the results of
his journey. The large wooden huts of
these tribes, their Canoes their fishing
gear and hunting methods have often
been described, but Dr.. Boas points out
that their traditions, their religious
ideas and social organization are not
equally well known. The principal fig
ure in the mythology of several of them
is a raven. who created all things, not
for the benefit of mankind, but in order
to "revcnge himself, Cannibalism is
practiced by some tribes in connection
with the winter dances; and there is q
Kwakiutl tradition to the effect that
one of their ancestors descended from
heaven, wearing ring of red cedar
bark and taught the people the cannibal
ceremonies. These ceremonies have been
adopted only in part by the Qomoks,
who content themselves with eating "ar-
tifcial' bodies which they prepare by
"sewng dried halibut to human
skeleton" Among the Tsimpshian, the
Tlingit and the Haida, children belong
to the mothers gems; among the Kwak.
iutl and Selfish tribes, they belong to the
gems of the father. In some tribe, there
arc as many as from fifteen to twenty
gentes. Members of the same gems arc
not allowed to inter- marry = Nature.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
HUMOROUS,

Never abuse a mule behind his back.
Woman's sphere is the home; mans
sphere is the baseball.
The most wonderful flight on record
was when the chimney fue.
Some men are so generous that they
are always willing to give away what
they don't want themselves.
When did Gen. Geo. Washington have
his first ride in a public carriage When
he took hack at the cherry tree.
Henry Bergh has printed set OF
thirteen lules on GLOW to Approach
Kicking Horse" to which we append
fourteenth, "Let the hired man tackle
him."
THAT fellow is carrying things with
high hand here tonight" rcmarkc |
Phase ,ius, when the waiter passed bal
ancing loaded tray at arms length
above his head.
New York mamma, -"Where have you
been, my son3' Young blood-"To s
bull-fght. MammaA"A bull-f3ht p
Young blood" --"Yaas, nav. I've been
down in Wall street."
"Now, Johnny" said the patien.
teacher, "put away that pocketknife and
pay attention to what l am saying. II
you had an apple which you wished to
divide with your little sister, how much
would you give hera' cpd give her the
CORE" said Johnny.
A lady travelling to a summer resort
was annoyed by the expeetorations of a
fellow behind, and when the conductor
entered, she drew up her dress and
asked: Conductor have you not any
rule in regard to splitting in the cart"
The genial -puncher smiled on her,
and responded: 'sNo, marin, you can
spit around anywhere you like"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
The Big Blanket Fish,

i'The first time struck the bottom"
says pearl diver, 81 couldn't believe I
was there. 1t was as clear as air, and
the fishes swimming around might have
been taken for birds. landed on kind
of sand hill when they lowered me, and
had to walk about fifty feet down into
valley-like before l struck the shells.
They were all in bunch stretched along
in ridge, looking like a black mark
against the white bottom. l was drag
ging the hamper, and when l got along
side began to toss them in. reckon
had filled half dozen or so, when all at
once I saw a kind of shadow moving
over all. At first l thought it was the
schooner, and then, perhaps, some of the
other divers coming down, and then it
left; but all at~once it came again and
grew so dark in second that turned
quick and looked up, and if my hair
hadn't been held down by copper cap
it would have riz right on end.
There, a-movin' over me, was what I
took to be bird about thirty feet across.
1t was wheeling round and round, flap
ping its big wings; just as you've seen
buzzards or eagles do, overhead. Down.
it came, lower and lower, and. I
a-crouching as flat as could get. The
nearer it got the bigger it looked, and
as see it was a-setting on mo I took the
pike always carried, and as it wheeled
around over me l let drive. Hit iti
Well, reckon I did. The next thing 1
knew was standing on my head, rolling
over and over, then yanked sideways,
half drowned, and then reckon I lost
my senses, and when l came to was
lynn on deck and all hands looking at
me. You see the critter had given the
water such swirl that was knocked
end for end, and my pipe and line twisted
around and around SO that couldn't
breathe, and, of course, that pulled the
line and the men thought I had jerkcd
it to come up, so they hauled away fol-
all they were worth, and that's what
saved my life. What was it7 Why,
nothin' but one of those sea- bats
blanket fish the other men called it
and they all say had narrow run fol
it. That was the way, accordin' to thei
say, that the fish goes to work t.
get away with man. They first settl'
down on you ike a blanket, and there
| Won ara y
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
Tho Monkeys Fatal Curiosity.

A gentleman who returned recently
from Aspinwall tells the following Curl
Gus story of the manner in which the
natives of the interior of the Isthmus Of
Panama capture monkeys:
"Almost all the pet monkeys in this
country" said he, "come from Gorgona,
a small village half way on tho line of
the Panama railroad. The inhabitants
are mostly native negroes, for no white
man could live in the village q month
unless he took quinine constantly. Tho
surrounding country is swampy and
covered with dense mass of luxuriant
vegetation. At nightfall thick mias-
ma rises from the ground and hangs
over the forests like cloud. This place
is the monkeys paradise. They travel
through tho forests in troops, going
wherever the king monkey leads. When
the natives have been appriscd of tho
presence of a troop they go about
warily to capture them. Their plan is a
simple one. A hole is cut in the shell
of cocoanut just large enough to admit
monkeys Enclosed paw. The
cocoanut is scoopcd out and lump of
sugar placed in the hollow. A string is
then attached to this novel trap and tho
negroes conceal themselves until the
monkeys pass by. Curiosity is one OF
the chief characteristics of these little
creatures, and when they cspy the cocoa
nut lying upon the ground they come
down carefully. The lump of sugar
does not long escape their notice, and
one of them thrusts paw through the
aperture to grab it. With the lump OF
sugar in his hand he finds it impossible
to withdraw it, nor will his greedy
nature allow him to abandon his prize.
The negl ocs have no difficulty in draw
ing him nearer and nearer to their am,
bush, the whole troops scampering mad
ly about him, chatterng and gesticulat-
ing as only monkeys can. When they
have arrived within easy reach large
net is thrown out and they are made
prisoners. Twenty or thirty are Otter
captured at one haul. The natives sci
them to the employees of the Panam
railroad, who in turn dispose of then
in the American market
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
Native Alaskans' FOndness for Music.

The native seal catchers of Alaska are
evidently fond Of music. From the re-
motest western settlements we learn that
American musical instruments and
American airs are popular. With tunes
which they have learned from our SOL
diers and sailors, the people mingc old
Russian songs and ballards which they
still remember.
The great feminine solace in wcll-to.
do native hut is recourse to q concertina
or accordion, as the case may be. These
instruments are especially adapted to the
people. Their plaintive, slow measure,
when fingered in response to native
tunes and old Slavonian ballads, always
rise upon the car in every Aleutian
hamlet from carly morning until far
into the night. The appreciation OF
good music is keen. Many of the
women can easily pick up strains from our
own operas, and repeat them correctly
after listening short while TO the trader
or his wife playing and singing. They
are most pleased with sad, wailing tunes,
such as. Lorcna," the cod Cabin
Home" and the like.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
PEARLS OF THOUGHT.
Promises are as sacred as oaths.

PROMISES are as sacred as oaths.
Life is a short day, but it is working
day.
Lack of desire is the greatest riches -
[Seneca.
To what gulfs single deviation from
the track of human duties leads.
With the generality Of men policy is
much more powerful than principle.
Life is quarry. out of which we are
to mould and chisel and complete q
character.
No metaphysician ever felt the de-
fcicncy of language SO much as the
grateful. -, .
When hope is disappointed aud
blasted, submission should be virtue,
not necessity.
1t is better to have thorns in the flesh
with grace to endure then, than to have
no thorns and no grace.
He who does base thing in zeal fol
his friend, burns the golden thread tina
ties their hearts together.
Purity, sincerity, obedience and self
rrender-thcsc are the marble step
that lead to the spiritual temple.
The real difference between men i
energy. A strong will, settled pur
pose and invincible determination ca
accomplish almost anything; and on thi
lies the distinction between the grea
men and the little men.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12

At banquet given to Mr.. Theodore
Metcalf by the Boston Druggists Asso-
citation Oliver Wendell Holmes gave his
opinion of apothecaries as follows: 81
have always had great opinion of the
medical advice of apothecaries. Tho
truth is they put up the prescriptions of
the best physicians in the place in which
they live and they have the very cream
of all :hcir wisdom at their fingers ends.
So, when l have myself been suffering
from any slight bodily inconvenience, l
am ashamed to say-or ought to b",
perhaps-instead of going to a profes-
sional brother, have quietly crept into
the back room and asked Mr. Metcalf
what such and such doctor was in the
habit of prescribing.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
Alas !!


One Of, the easiest habits to form is
the habit. of using some one word or
phrase so often that it becomes man.
nerism. Whipple once called Emcrson's
attention to his frequent use of.the word
"srim," and SO great was Emerson's
aversion to mannerisms that he at once
struck the word entilcly from his vocab-
ulary. ..
One of the most distinguished bishops
in the Methodist Episcopal church was,
in his youth, smitten with a fondncss
for the word "alas," which he used with
great effect. On one occasion he was
describing the death Of the Christian
man, and thus expressed himself: "See
him as he lies upon dying bed. His
friends surround him; his wife and
children arc there to receive his bless
ing. At last the farewclls are spoken,
he breathes no more. Now, could we
part the veil, we should sec a convoy
of angels sent direct from the heavenly
courts to bear his ransomed soul home.
He rises higher and still higher, until at
last the music OF heaven resounds in his
cars. lie receives an abundant entrance
into the everlasting kingdom, and there,
alas! let us leave him." At the close of
the sermon a brother said to him:
"Brother -, l never supposed be-
fore that it was a mournful thing for
Christian TO bc safe in heaven; but
as you said, Alas let us leave him
there you must think it is"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
Had Nothing 10 Say

Nine: AubeEnon gives literary dinners
IN Paris and rules them like strict par
Humanitarian. She has silver bell at her
side to ring for order, and she gives each
guest his tarn, to speak. One evening
Mr.. Renan was talking when one of the
lesser lights tried to say something in an
andertope. She persmptorily sileneed
1im, and a lew moments later, when
NJ. Renan had finished his monologue,
'he tapped the. bell and said to the un-
fortunate, "Now, Monsieur, you may
'peak." "But, Madame" he exclaimed,
only wanted to ask for some more
,njnach.n
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
Trad uatcd.

Lady visitor-'1 am very sorry to see
rou here, my young friend. You look
Is if you had good education"
Convict--"Wcll, madam, l have been
through Yale College"
Lady visitor-"Is it possible"
Convict-"Yes, that's the reason I'm
,ere. They caught me as l was going
through. Judge.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
He Was Surprised.

A little Scotch boy, about four or five
years old, was ill of fever, and the doc
tor ordered his head to be shaved. The
little fellow was unconscious at the
time and knew nothing of it. A few
days after, when he was convalescent,
he happened to put his hand TO his head,
and after an amazed silence shrieked out
'Mitherl mitherl my heads barefoot" +"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
Two Extremes.

First Om..ha man-"No, sir; Pm
going to send my son to college. No
public school system for him. Look at
Jink's boyw
Second Omaha mani "Jink's boy has
just graduated from the public schools
and is a young man of thorough cul-
ture."
ayes, and is half dead with consump-
ton and has had brain fever three
times. Now look at Wink's eldest
son."
SIS he college manl
Irregular graduate, strong as a horse,
healthy as mule, and makes $4,000 a
year in a base ball team.-[Omahs
World.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
Amusing the BABY.

"And now, Bobby" said his mother,
as she buttoned her gloves, "be a good
little boy while Lam out, and do every.
thing you can TO amuse the baby"
On her return she discovered that
Bobby had emptied the contents of the
molasses jug over the baby's head, and
the happy laughter from the infantile
lips told her more eloquently than mere
words could eyer hope to tell how emf
nently successful Bobb's efforts in the
amusement line had been.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
A Good Reason.

''say, Tom, that fellow stuppin seems
20 appreciate a story"
Yes, seems to-"
Laughs at oil your jol1es."..
.'.s,Don't you know whyi"
4No."
"Why, let him have FIVE dollars the
,ther day. ~ Arkansas Traveller.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
A Guarantee,

Nervous patient, in dentists chair
Wilt hurt much, doctor2
Dentist (reassuringly)-Pll guarantees
it won't hurt bit.
Nervous patient mot convinced)-But
what if it should, doctor7 What would
your guarantee amount to2
Dentist evidently sure of himsel0 If
l hurt you, my dear sir, II pull every
tooth in your head and it won't cost you
a cent.-Harper's Bazar.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
Sbarkle, But No Pom.

"How brilliant Augustus De Chatters
Is" said Miss Asiline lie Fritters to her
friend, Josephine McBoltz, as the ele'
CANT, gilt-edged youth left the room.
"Hc really is like champagne--hc has SO
much sparkle about him."
yes" answered Miss McBoltz, ''but
there's no pop about him. He's been
alone with me for an hour past and
never said a word to the point, though
was hoping every moment he'd 60 of.
1.-THE American.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
A Lucky Find.

: Husbnnd-I was in great luck to-day.
found silver dollar on the street.
Wife-I wish you would give it to me,
John. Baby needs new pair of shoes.
Husaand-Givc it TO you'll Why
lpent it, and another dollar with it,
celebrating the event -TNew. York Sun
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
PRICE THREE CENTS.
Aspirations.

o songs of wonderful sweetness
That my heart with melody fill =.
o strains OF marvellous music,
That my soul with rapture thrill
Though in vain essay to utter
The thoughts you forever suggest
The heavenly hopes and yearnlnss
You arou within my breast.
Still I know my life is bettor
For your music in my heart;
And your symphonies though SILENT
Sweet peace to my soul impart.
And / know each aspiration,
Each pure, ennobling thought,
Shall live on and on forever,
In realms immortal wrought.
And songs that now are unuttered
My soul shall sing one day,
When the earthly chains that bind 10
Shall break in death away.
Phillip B. Strong in Current
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
Life and Death.


Clouds come in every sky
No day will last forever,
And roads that nearest lie,
Tho hand Of time will sever.
No flowers eternal bloom,
No loving-Death outlying
Tho voice of the tomb
Cry, "All must end in dying"
No clouds forever last,
No heart Is doomed to sadness,
Tho future. present, past,
All some fount Of gladness,
And flowers that fade today
VIII bloom when winter passes,
In every year comes May,
With clover, buds, AMI grasses;
The voices from the sky
A joyful paan giving,
I'VE are not dead," they cry,
There is no end to living.
-IMAY SPENCER.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12

The badness o! an egg can s1me.imes
be tcld by shaking near the holders car,
but the test is dangerous olc.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12

MrEntered at tho Post.ofiee At South
Londonderry, as second class matter.
The Arizona sentinel., 1887-04-16
JAPANESE LIFE.
A Glimpse of It as It Is at Home
 and in Public.

Handsome Feet-Good Babies-HOuse Dec oratlons-Simplicity of Dress-Crema- ton Very Common-Public Gus
 stoms-Incompreher